Ammunition handling system

ABSTRACT

A drum type ammunition storage system has an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds, each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity. The helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

[ Apr. 2, 1974 2,935,914 5/1960 Darsie et 89/33 D Primary ExaminerStephen C. Bentley Attorney, Agent, or FirmBailin L. Kuch [57] ABSTRACT A drum type ammunition storage system has an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds, each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity. The helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures AMMUNITION HANDLING SYSTEM Inventors: Russell Allyn Hougland, St. George,

Vt.; Russell Allyn Houghland, Berwyn, Pa.

General Electric Company, Burlington, Vt.

Filed: Jan. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 323,801

89/33 0 Int. F4lf 9/06 Field of Search.................. 89/33 D, 33 ML, 34

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Hougland et al.

[73] Assignee:

s/ a i a E A e i "MENTEUAFR 2 am: 3,800,658 SHEET 1 BF 3 PATENTH] APR 2 I974 SHEET 3 OF 3 llllll h llllllllln ""IIIIm BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a system for storing and for feeding articles at a high velocity; and is embodied in a system for storing and feeding linkless rounds of ammunition to a high rate of fire machine gun.

2. Prior Art Ammunition Handling Systems for linkless ammunition for high rate of fire guns are well known. Examples can be found in US. Pat. No. 2,935,914 issued to B. Darsie et al. on May 10, 1960; US. Pat. No. 2,993,415 issued to E. W. Panicci et al. on July 25, 1961; and US. Pat. No. 3,696,704 issued to L. F. Backus et al. on Oct. 10, 1972. These systems include an outer stationary drum having longitudinal partitions therein, and an inner, rotating, helical partition. Rounds are arranged radially about the central axis and have their bullets disposed between adjacent layers of the helical partition. Rotation of the helical partition advances the rounds longitudinally along the drum, which rounds are picked up by a scoop disc assembly having traveling sprockets. This system is exemplified in the SUU-16/A and SU- U-l l/A. More recently, in the MAUS8/A, the helix is fixed and the outer drum revolves, providing the rounds with a rotational velocity, which avoids the need for the scoop disc assembly. However, in this system the entire supply of ammunition must be accelerated and decelerated to this rotational velocity. The inertias involved become quite significant as the calibers and quantities of the rounds increase.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a drum type ammunition storage system which omits the traveling sprockets of the scoop disc assembly and does not require the full complement of ammunition to be accelerated to the rotational velocity of the rounds being transported to the gun.

It is another object of this invention to provide such a system having a significantly smaller diameter than the conventional system, without a significantly larger length.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a drum type ammunition storage system having an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds,

each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity. The helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial view of a pod containing an ammunition handling system embodying this invention and a high rate of fire gun;

FIG. 2 is a perspective partial view of the central rotor assembly with an aft, low angular velocity rotor and a forward, high angular velocity rotor;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, partial cross-section of the stationary drum with the two, interlayered, helical partitions;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view showing the merger of the two trains of rounds at low angular velocity into a single train of rounds at twice the angular velocity; and

FIG. 5 is an end view in cross-section of the pod of FIG. 1.

THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a pod envelope l0 enclosing and supporting a high rate of tire gun 12, such asis shown in U.S. Rat. No. 3,611,871 issued Oct. 12, 1971 to R. G. Kirkpatrick et al., and an ammunition handling system for storing and supplying rounds of ammunition to the gun.

An outer drum 14 is fixed to the pod and has two, interlayered, helical partitions l6 and 18 fixed therein defining two helical guide slots 20 and 22. The partitions are sloped at an angle A to the longitudinal axis 24, here shown as 60", and have a helical lead angle B. Rounds of ammunition R are disposed in the guide slots and form two conical, helical trains of ammunition 26 and 28.

An aft rotor 30, comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending paddles 32 fixed to a hub 33, is journaled for rotation, in a direction V, about the axis 24; and a forward rotor 34, comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending paddles 36 is also journaled for rotation, in the same direction, about the axis 24. The forward rotor 34 is driven by suitable means at twice the rotational velocity of the aft rotor 30. Each paddle 32 has a centripetal, V-shaped, cross-sectional portion 38, and a centrifugal, V-shaped, cross-sectional portion 40. The two step ramp surface provided on each side of the paddle accommodates to the two step surface of the bullet and the case of each round R. Each paddle 36 has a centripetal, V-shaped cross-sectional portion 42 which increases in radial length as a function of forward proximity; a centrifugal, V-shaped, crosssectional portion 44; and a centrifugal, chord-shaped, cross-sectional portion 46 which extends longitudinally forwardly from an aft shoulder 47. The leading ends of the paddles 32 and the aft ends of the paddles 36 have a common interface which is sloped to the longitudinal axis 24 at angle A.

A single turn helical guide slot 48 is defined by two single turn helical partitions 50 and 52, having the same conical angle A to the longitudinal axis, and the same helical lead angle B. The forward end of the guide slot 22 extends into a deflection guide track 54 defined by partitions 56 and 58, which merges into a mediate portion of the guide track 48. Similarly, out of phase, the forward end of the guide slot 20 merges into the aft end of the guide track 48.

A C-shaped channel 60 bridges across the centrifugal portions of the partitions 50 and 52 at the forward end of the guide track 48. The channel has a cross-section including a base portion 62, two leg portions 64 and 66 and two inwardly directed foot portions 68 and 70. The foot portions are aligned with the guide track 48 so as to engage the extractor groove R1 of each round as it exits the guide track 48.

The aft tip 72 of each paddle 36 has a curved, feathered configuration, with a concave leading surface 74 and a convex trailing surface 76. While a round R is in the guide slot 22, it is advanced by the leading surface 78 of a paddle 32. When the round enters the deflection guide track 54 it is engaged by the tip 72 of a paddle 36 and subsequently by the concave surface 74. As the round concurrently travels along the track 54 and the surface 74, it is accelerated from the first velocity of the train of rounds of track 24, to the double velocity of the train of rounds in track 48. A similar merger and acceleration of the train of rounds in the track ino the train of rounds in the track 48 occurs 180 previously.

The channel 60 spirals centripetally from behind the shoulder 47 into the annular plane defined by the chord shaped portions 46 of the forward rotor, and also twists so that the base portion 62 of the channel shifts from 60 to the longitudinal axis 24 to perpendicular to the axis. Similarly, as the rounds are carried along the channel 60 by the forward rotor 34, they are shifted from 60 to parallel to the axis. To avoid interference with the paddles, the centripetal margin of channel 60 is progressively cut away, as the channel extends forward of the shoulders 47. An inner guide 80 is disposed forward of the portions 44, centripetal of the portions 46 to pick up the extractor plate groove in place of the cut away centripetal margin of channel 60. The chordportions 46 pass through the gap between the guide 80 and the channel 60.

An elongated sprocket 82 is fixed on a shaft 84 parallel to the drum axis 24 and has a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 86. An outer cover-guide 88 partially encircles the sprocket 82, and has an aft end 90 disposed at the forward end 92 of the C-shaped channel 60, with a blind slot 94 to pass the chord portions 46. The inner guide 80 has a forward end 102 disposed adjacent the sprocket 82. A helical guide 104 is disposed about the sprocket 82 within the cover-guide 88, and has an aft end which abuts the base of each round before its extractor groove is released by the inner guide 80. The rounds are sequentially handed into the grooves 86 of the sprocket 82 by the chord portions 46 of the forward rotor, and are advanced along the grooves by the helical guide 104. When the rounds reach the forward end of the sprocket 82 they are picked up by a feeder sprocket 106 and handed into the infeed of the gun 12. The aft end of the guide 104 may be fixed to the drum support and the forward end may be fixed to the gun support, and advantageously may be made resilient to accommodate recoil movement of the gun relative to the ammunition handling system.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as herein specifically described, and that certain change in the form and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the underlying principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A drum type storage system for rounds of ammunition, comprising:

an outer, stationary drum having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical, hollow core space, including:

an aft portion having a first plurality of interlayed, helical partitions extending centripetally to provide a like first plurality of helical guideways for base portions of rounds of ammunition,

a forward portion having two partial partitions extending centripetally to provide a partial annular guideway for base portions of rounds of ammunition,

a like first plurality of junction portions, each having two respective partitions extending centripetally to provide a like first plurality of transitional guideways for base portions of rounds from the termination of a respective one of said helical guideways to said partial annular guideway; and I an inner, rotating core, disposed within said core space, including:

an aft portion, underlying said aft portion of said drum, having a second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds,.

a forward portion, underlying said forward portion of said drum, having a. like second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds,

the forward end portions of said guides of said aft portion of said inner core underlying those portions of said respective juntion portions which are immediately adjacent said aft portion of said drum, and

the aft end portions of said guides of said forward portion of said inner core underlying the remaining portions of said respective junction portions,

whereby rounds of ammunition may be disposed with their tip portions in said longitudinal guideways in said aft portion of said core and their base portions in said helical guideways in said aft portion of said drum, and as the core rotates the rounds will be concomittantly advanced longitudinally forwardly and into said transitional guideways whereat said longitudinal guides of said aft portion of said core will lose control of the tips of the rounds and concomittantly the longitudinal guides of the forward portion of said core will gain control of the tips of the rounds.

2. A system according to claim ll wherein:

said aft portion of said core rotates at a first velocity,

and

said forward portion of said core rotates at a second velocity which is a multiple of said first velocity equal to the number of said first plurality of helical guideways,

whereby the plurality of trains of rounds in said plurality of helical guideways are merged into a single train of rounds in said annular guideway.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein:

each of said transitional guideways spirals about said longitudinal axis, forwardly in the direction of rotation of said core.

4. A system according to claim 3 wherein:

the respective tip portion of each of said aft end portions of said guides of said forward portion of said inner core has a leading surface with respect to the direction of rotation of said forward portion which is longitudinally progressively retrograde forward from the tip;

whereby when the tips of the rounds in said transitional guideways become controlled by the longitua channel, having a C-shaped cross-section with inwardly directed feet, straddling said two portions of said forward portion of said drum at the termination thereof, and adapted to engage the extractor disks of the respective base portions of rounds with said feet,

whereby as the train of rounds leaves said annular guideway it is captured and guided by said channel while still under the control of said forward portion of said rotating core.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein:

said channel has a progressive twist therein,

whereby to progressively guide each of the rounds in the train to an orientation parallel to said longitudinal axis of said drum, while still under the control of said forward portion of said rotating core.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said helical partitions are disposed at an angle of less than to said longitudinal axis,

whereby the rounds of ammunition are supported in said guideways at said angle.

8.'A system according to claim 6 further including:

a first sprocket for receiving rounds from said channel; and

a helical guide encircling said sprocket for advancing rounds longitudinally along said sprocket.

9. A system according to claim 8 further including:

movement between the gun and said drum.

Patent No. 3,800,658 Dated April 2, 1974 Inve Douglas Pray Tassie et a1 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The present Front Page should be cancelled and the attached page substituted therefor, as part of the Letters Patent.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (w'ss) usco -oc scan-ps9 United States Patent [1 1 Tassie et al;

[ Apr. 2, 1974 AMMUNITION HANDLING SYSTEM Inventors: Douglas Pray Tassie, St. George,

Vt.; Russell Allyn Hougland, Berwyn, Pa.

Assignee: General Electric Company,

Burlington, Vt. Filed: Jan. 15,1973

Appl. No.: 323,801

US. Cl 89/33 D Int. Cl F4" 9/06 Field of Search 89/33 D, 33 ML, 34

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lohne 89/33 D.

2,935,914 5/]960 Darsie ct al 89/33 D Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bailin L. Kuch [57] ABSTRACT A drum type ammunition storage system has an outer, stationary drum with two, interlayered, helical partitions; and a rotating core with a plurality of longitudinally extending guides, to provide two helical trains of rounds, each having a first rotational velocity, which are merged to provide a single train having a second rotational velocity which is twice said first rotational velocity. The helical partitions are at a longitudinal angle to the longitudinal axis, to support the rounds at an angle to the longitudinal axis.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures A UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,8 ,65 Dated April 2, 1974 Inventor-( Douglas Pray Tassie et al It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

The present Front Page should be cancelled and the attached page substituted therefor, as part of the Letters Patent.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of June 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM P -1 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60378-P6S 

1. A drum type storage system for rounds of ammunition, comprising: an outer, stationary drum having a longitudinal axis and a cylindrical, hollow core space, including: an aft portion having a first plurality of interlayed, helical partitions extending centripetally to provide a like first plurality of helical guideways for base portions of rounds of ammunition, a forward portion having two partial partitions extending centripetally to provide a partial annular guideway for base portions of rounds of ammunition, a like first plurality of junction portions, each having two respective partitions extending centripetally to provide a like first plurality of transitional guideways for base portions of rounds from the termination of a respective one of said helical guideways to said partial annular guideway; and an inner, rotating core, disposed within said core space, including: an aft portion, underlying said aft portion of said drum, having a second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds, a forward portion, underlying said forward portion of said drum, having a like second plurality of longitudinal guides extending centrifugally to provide a like second plurality of longitudinal guideways for tip portions of rounds, the forwArd end portions of said guides of said aft portion of said inner core underlying those portions of said respective juntion portions which are immediately adjacent said aft portion of said drum, and the aft end portions of said guides of said forward portion of said inner core underlying the remaining portions of said respective junction portions, whereby rounds of ammunition may be disposed with their tip portions in said longitudinal guideways in said aft portion of said core and their base portions in said helical guideways in said aft portion of said drum, and as the core rotates the rounds will be concomittantly advanced longitudinally forwardly and into said transitional guideways whereat said longitudinal guides of said aft portion of said core will lose control of the tips of the rounds and concomittantly the longitudinal guides of the forward portion of said core will gain control of the tips of the rounds.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein: said aft portion of said core rotates at a first velocity, and said forward portion of said core rotates at a second velocity which is a multiple of said first velocity equal to the number of said first plurality of helical guideways, whereby the plurality of trains of rounds in said plurality of helical guideways are merged into a single train of rounds in said annular guideway.
 3. A system according to claim 2 wherein: each of said transitional guideways spirals about said longitudinal axis, forwardly in the direction of rotation of said core.
 4. A system according to claim 3 wherein: the respective tip portion of each of said aft end portions of said guides of said forward portion of said inner core has a leading surface with respect to the direction of rotation of said forward portion which is longitudinally progressively retrograde forward from the tip; whereby when the tips of the rounds in said transitional guideways become controlled by the longitudinal guides of said forward portion they are progressively accelerated as they advance forwardly along said respective leading surface while in said transitional guideways.
 5. A system according to claim 4 further including: a channel, having a C-shaped cross-section with inwardly directed feet, straddling said two portions of said forward portion of said drum at the termination thereof, and adapted to engage the extractor disks of the respective base portions of rounds with said feet, whereby as the train of rounds leaves said annular guideway it is captured and guided by said channel while still under the control of said forward portion of said rotating core.
 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein: said channel has a progressive twist therein, whereby to progressively guide each of the rounds in the train to an orientation parallel to said longitudinal axis of said drum, while still under the control of said forward portion of said rotating core.
 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein: said helical partitions are disposed at an angle of less than 90* to said longitudinal axis, whereby the rounds of ammunition are supported in said guideways at said angle.
 8. A system according to claim 6 further including: a first sprocket for receiving rounds from said channel; and a helical guide encircling said sprocket for advancing rounds longitudinally along said sprocket.
 9. A system according to claim 8 further including: a second sprocket for receiving rounds from said first sprocket and for handing such rounds to the feeder of a gun, said second sprocket being mounted to the gun and said first sprocket being mounted to said drum, said helical guide being mounted at its aft end to said drum and at its forward end to the gun, and being free in between, whereby to accommodate recoil movement between the gun and said drum. 